Staying Safe in the Hot Weather

In this hot weather, please take care of yourself and others. Most of us can enjoy the hot weather safely, but please look out for those who are more vulnerable during the heatwave.

We are already seeing people turn up at The Grange University Hospital who are very poorly due to the effects of the hot weather.

The main risks posed by a heatwave are:

• not drinking enough water (dehydration)
• overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing
• heat exhaustion and heatstroke
• sunburn

A heatwave can affect anyone, but the most vulnerable people are older people (especially those over 75) and young children. Please think about:

• those who live on their own or in a care home
• people who have a serious or long term illness – including heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson's disease or some mental health conditions
• those who may find it hard to keep cool – babies and the very young, the bed bound, those with drug or alcohol addictions or with Alzheimer's disease
• people who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places – those who live in a top floor flat, the homeless or those whose jobs are outside